Make your very own Tote Bag

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About the Course

Our Leather Craft Workshop Days are designed to be all about You…. getting hands on and making your very own Classic Tote Bag from a selection of our premium grade leathers. For our Tote Bag workshop we're also adding a growing colour range of Suede Leathers in a good weight so your bag can remain unlined so you get a great look and feel on the inside and out.

On our Workshops we don't operate with pre-cut bag templates, but we do have suggested largest sizes for each style of bag and this is solely to ensure you will have enough time on your workshop day to actually complete all the preparation, saddle stitching and bag handles.

Approx dimensions are either 38cms x 34cms or 40cms x 22cms for a wider shape. You can of course make your Tote bag smaller if preferred. Options to add to your Tote bag are a magnet closure and a D ring for a detachable key leash.

Having worked in the industry for over ten years... Our workshop classes are brand new to London and started November 2017 and are all geared for people with some or no experience of working with, and Saddle Stitching vegetable tanned leathers of various thicknesses depending on the course you choose, with classes kept to a maximum of 3 people on the Tote Bag workshop. Please have a look at our website homepage Testimonials feedback, our website Reviews page and our Makers Gallery page which is updated weekly.

You can book your Workshop day on our website. We also have Gift Certificates you can purchase on our web shop page.

This workshop course is also a great introduction if you work with fabrics and want to know more about working with and combining leather with your materials, bags etc.

We also provide you with an info pack giving details on where you can buy your own Leathers, tools and hardware if you wished to take your new skills forward at your own pace.

You’ll be fully guided throughout your session by our commercial Leathersmith, Richard Williamson the founder of RW Works. You'll be shown all about the various traditional leather working hand tools you’ll be using and encouraged to first practice using the various hand tools on off-cuts of leather to build your familiarity and confidence.

There is nothing better than the feeling of making your very own leather goods that you’ll love to use and last you for decades, ageing uniquely over the years.

You’ll be shown how to cut, mark and chisel your stitching holes, burnish your edges, set any hardware, wax your thread, and finally hand stitch your item using a traditional Saddle Stitch for strength, one length of thread with a needle at each end.

Don’t worry at all if you’re unfamiliar with any of the above as you’ll be given demo’s of each stage and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you’ll pick it up.

We look forward to seeing you on the day and if you can arrive 5 minutes prior to your course start time, that’d be perfect.

Parking is free in the surrounding roads and nearest public transport is Hanwell Railway Station (8 minutes walk), or Ealing Broadway and Boston Manor Tube Stations.

If booking with a CraftCourses voucher for part or all of the course
fee,
please fill in the contact form above or telephone us. Your voucher code must be
provided at
the point of booking.

What's included in the price?

We have no hidden extras on our courses. All the leather and any hardware fittings are included in your course cost along with use of all the tools you’ll need to make your very own leather item.

We also provide you with plenty of soft drinks, teas/coffees biscuits.
If you have any specific dietary needs, please bring them along.

If you don't see a course date that suits you, please contact us via email and we'll do our best to accommodate.

The great experience. I definitely recommend the course as the real experience is much more helpful than theory in the book. In one day I was able to make my own tote bag without any previous leather craft knowledge. Richard was a great mentor and I was inspired to move on with my idea of designing and making the entire collection of leather accessories myself.

My daughter Lauren and I spent last Saturday making a tote bag. Even though I say so myself, the results were very professional! This was in no small part due to Richard’s instruction and patience. This course far exceeded our expectations. Richard shared his considerable knowledge and experience and genuinely wanted people to continue with leather work after the course. I would recommend one of Richard’s courses to anybody interested in learning a new skill.

I attended Richard’s tote bag workshop along with my husband. I cannot praise it highly enough. Richard is a great teacher, very patient and very generous with his knowledge, he even gave me advice on how to restore a damaged leather bag that has sentimental value for a friend. We both enjoyed the day tremendously! If you are thinking of booking a course with Richard, don’t hesitate, you’ll have a great day and come away with a lovely piece of leather work. When I took our tote bags to work they caused quite a stir and a sizeable amount of envy with several people asking if I would sell them! I can’t wait to go back and make something else and, in the hours we were with him, he has given me the confidence, advice and encouragement to attempt the restoration for my friend.

Just wanted to say thank you to Richard. Made my own tote bag yesterday. Loved Richard's passion and his explanation about the leather and the dyeing processes. I also learnt a lot about the leather tools and what they were used for. We received a key ring and information pack which will be very useful. I will definitely sign up again to make something else.

I was thinking of learning how to work with leather for years! Finally took the plunge and had a lovely day making my tote bag! Exceeded all my expectations. Richard talked us through the whole process from designing the bag to handcutting and hand stitching it. The products we used look and feel amazing. I would definitely recommend this course. I will even maybe join again to make an other unique piece!

I absolutely loved this course. I was a total beginner so didn't really know what to expect but Richard walked me through the whole process, from planning the design, cutting, and stitching, to riveting and burnishing. It was a brilliant day and I walked away with an amazing bag at the end of it. I would definitely this course!

An absolutely fantastic course!! I am so pleased with my bag!! I will come back for more courses. This is my 2nd course with Richard and he is a brilliant teacher. I would highly recommend this tote bag class!

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Course Start Dates

Sunday 13th January 2019
Saturday 26th January 2019Thursday 31st January 2019Saturday 9th February 2019Saturday 16th February 2019Saturday 23rd February 2019Saturday 2nd March 2019

Accessible by public transport

Suitable for beginners

Suitable for events & groups

What does this mean?

This craft course provider has been awarded Platinum status for receiving 50 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.

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